JLC rotors

[Lime]

Hi, can someone comment on the JLC rotors? Is the old style the one that says master control 1000 hours and the new style the “JL” one? Or is there just two concurrent different rotors. I want to know are the models that don’t have the JL rotor just not updated yet?

[vman]

You gotta look at the watch. JLC switched from the old style to the new JL style rotors sometime ago, but there are plenty of new watches that are still sold by ADs with the old rotors. Thus, you can get the same watch, same looks, etc, but a different rotor. Not a big deal IMHO.

[Corey986]

I don’t think for all models it was some time ago. They haven’t even updated their website pictures for some models.

However I do agree on the more popular and less inexpensive models all the old rotors worked out of the supply chain quickly. The more expensive and less popular ones might have some sitting around in an AD for a bit and still have the old style rotor.

[Corey986]

I wanted to add one more thing.

While I like the new rotor's skeletonized look so that you can see more of the movement, the older rotors with that giant hunk of 22k gold on the outside are rather nice.

I didn't see anything on the new rotors where you can see it marked as 22k and I really wonder if the new rotor setup has less actual gold and is actually cheaper than the old one to produce. I also wonder if there are different thicknesses used depending on the watch. Though from a marketing perspective, it is a nice touch to make the rotor out of the letters JL.

Now the nicest rotor in my opinion on a JLC is the Master ultra thin Tourbillon, a nice thick gold rotor with just enough skeletonization for a peek at the movement though the rotor.

Cheers,
Corey

[Lime]

I wonder if the master control date THIN will have its rotor updated soon? I am worried about buying that model then shortly after it gets the JL rotor treatment

[Lime]

Originally Posted by Corey986

I wanted to add one more thing.

While I like the new rotor's skeletonized look so that you can see more of the movement, the older rotors with that giant hunk of 22k gold on the outside are rather nice.

I didn't see anything on the new rotors where you can see it marked as 22k and I really wonder if the new rotor setup has less actual gold and is actually cheaper than the old one to produce. I also wonder if there are different thicknesses used depending on the watch. Though from a marketing perspective, it is a nice touch to make the rotor out of the letters JL.

Now the nicest rotor in my opinion on a JLC is the Master ultra thin Tourbillon, a nice thick gold rotor with just enough skeletonization for a peek at the movement though the rotor.

Cheers,
Corey

I agree. There is no karat marking on the new rotor, is everyone in agreement it has no gold in it? Gold plated at best

[Corey986]

All the reviews of watches with the new rotor say it’s solid 22k. I just don’t see a visible stamped like the other JLC rotors.

That lack of 22k mark on the visible side could be for esthetics, but clearly it was designed by some sort of CAD machine and they could easily shave and optimize the gold content to weigh less but provide the same torque.

The old rotor not only had that hunk of visible 22k gold on the end, it went underneath to support the attaching rivets which requires a thick area in the soft 22k gold to support the rivets and then they have the gold inlayed writing on the rotor which much be time consuming.

[Lime]

Originally Posted by Corey986

All the reviews of watches with the new rotor say it’s solid 22k. I just don’t see a visible stamped like the other JLC rotors.

That lack of 22k mark on the visible side could be for esthetics, but clearly it was designed by some sort of CAD machine and they could easily shave and optimize the gold content to weigh less but provide the same torque.

The old rotor not only had that hunk of visible 22k gold on the end, it went underneath to support the attaching rivets which requires a thick area in the soft 22k gold to support the rivets and then they have the gold inlayed writing on the rotor which much be time consuming.

I wonder where people are getting this information that it is pure 22kt for the new rotor. I can’t seem to find it

[Corey986]

Originally Posted by Lime

I wonder where people are getting this information that it is pure 22kt for the new rotor. I can’t seem to find it

The only reference I have seen is in the reviews. But who knows, they may be assuming based on the previous one having a solid gold weight.

[Corey986]

Originally Posted by Corey986

The only reference I have seen is in the reviews. But who knows, they may be assuming based on the previous one having a solid gold weight.

Was just thinking. Maybe it’s in the press release. Too many press say it’s a solid gold 22k rotor, plus there are “less expensive” models with the rotor in a silver colored metal.

[Caesar95]

According to Tim Mosso, the new JLC rotors are actually gold plated tungsten.